People, Places, Things

Director: Jim Strouse
Screenwriters: Jim Strouse

Institute History

Description

????From the moment graphic novelist Will Henry accidentally walks in on his wife, Charlie, with another man, his life officially begins to suck. Not only is he exiled from Brooklyn to a tiny studio apartment in Astoria and forced to see his adorable twin daughters only on weekends, but, according to Charlie, the separation is all his fault. As he muddles through single fathering and teaching college, a defeated Will sits up nights at his drafting table, illustrating his frustrations and loneliness—aptly symbolized by an ever-growing brick wall jammed between him and his family. When a student challenges Will to pursue new people, places, and things, his obsessions—both graphic and real—take new form.

Lead actor Jemaine Clement's special brand of nerdy cluelessness is utterly charming and soulful, as are the supporting performances in this understated comedy that revels in the awkwardness of breakups and pokes fun at an erudite New York where everyone's clumsily trying to create a new happy ending. —C.L.

— Caroline Libresco

Screening Details

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